IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INDEPENDENT CURRICULUM IN IMPROVING SOFT SKILLS AND ABSORPTION OF GRADUATES VOCATIONAL SCHOOL

Arik Suprianto, Arif Budi Wurianto, Agus Tinus

Abstract


Purpose-This study aims to examine how the Independent Curriculum contributes to improving soft skills and the absorption of vocational high school graduates in the workforce.

Methodology- The approach employed is a descriptive qualitative method, utilizing data collection techniques that include in-depth interviews, observations, and documentation at SMK Muhammadiyah 2 Malang which has implemented the Independent Curriculum. This technique involves the principal, deputy curriculum, and subject teachers. The data analysis employs the Miles and Huberman approach, specifically focusing on data reduction, data display, and conclusions.

Findings - The study's results indicate that the implementation of the Independent Curriculum in vocational schools has been accompanied by Project-Based Learning (PjBL), and the flexibility of choosing subjects significantly provides students with space to develop essential soft skills, including communication, collaboration, and creativity. In addition, active collaboration between schools and industry in curriculum development and implementation of internship programs can also increase the relevance of student competencies according to job market needs. Vocational school graduates who participated in learning based on the Independent Curriculum demonstrated a higher level of adaptability and professionalism compared to those who followed the previous curriculum.

Contribution - This study provides scientific facts about the implementation of the Independent Curriculum in improving soft skills and the absorption of vocational school graduates, so that it can be used as a reference and consideration for policies that will be taken both for the development of soft skills and the absorption of vocational school graduates.

Keywords


Independent Curriculum, Soft Skills, Graduate Absorption, Project-Based Learning, Industrial World

Full Text:

PDF

References


Agustiningsih, R., & Rahdiyanta, D. (2019). Implementation of an Authentic Assessment Model to Improve the Quality of Learning Assessment. Jurnal Pendidikan Teknologi Dan Kejuruan, 25(1), 103–115. https://doi.org/10.21831/jptk.v25i1.20072

Ahdhianto, E., Masula, S., Thohir, M. A., & Khotimah, K. (2024). Pengembangan E-modul berbasis PBL untuk meningkatkan keterampilan pemecahan masalah dan berpikir kritis siswa sekolah dasar. Jurnal Math Educator Nusantara: Wahana Publikasi Karya Tulis Ilmiah Di Bidang Pendidikan Matematika, 10(1), 167–178. https://doi.org/10.29407/jmen.v10i1.22376

Ahmad, D., Mahir, I., & Prihantono, C. R. (2024). Innovative Models for SMK and Industry Partnerships Aligned with the Independent Belajar Curriculum. Journal of Pedagogy, 1(3), 49–60. https://doi.org/10.62872/y0198337

Anwar, L., Mujahidin, E., & Rizal Mz, S. (2023). Perencanaan Kurikulum Pendidikan Islam Berpola Kurikulum Independent di SMK Muhammadiyah Kota Bogor. Al-Mubin; Islamic Scientific Journal, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.51192/almubin.v6i01.436

Atika, A., Andriati, N., & Martin, M. (2021). Pembelajaran Cooperatif Learning Bimbingan Kelompok Teman Sebaya Melalui Pendekatan Behavioral. Sosial Horizon: Jurnal Pendidikan Sosial, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.31571/sosial.v8i1.3255

Bagit, I., Sumual, H., & Mewengkang, A. (2022). Penerapan Model Project Based Learning untuk Meningkatkan Hasil Belajar Simulasi dan Komunikasi Digital Siswa SMK. Edutik : Jurnal Pendidikan Teknologi Informasi dan Komunikasi, 2(6). https://doi.org/10.53682/edutik.v2i6.6341

Budianingsih, T., & Lailatul, N. (2021). Analisis Pakar Pengembangan Metode Pembelajaran Kolaborasi Totur Teman Sebaya dengan Quantum Teaching dalam pembelajaran Bahasa Mandarin. Journal of Educational Teaching and Learning (JETL), 2(1).

Diana, R., Siregar, S., & Bahrissalim. (2022). Desain Pengembangan Kurikulum. Jurnal Mahasiswa Pendidikan, 2(2), 137–148. https://doi.org/10.37286/jmp.v2i2.183

Fazli Abdillah, Khoirul Azmi, Casyariadi Vana Hafizah, Dea Anisha, Nurana Dwina Bintang, & Sri Mulyani. (2023). Strategi Pelaksanaan Evaluasi Program Pendidikan Terhadap Kualitas Belajar Siswa Di Sekolah. Jurnal Bintang Pendidikan Indonesia, 1(2), 13–23. https://doi.org/10.55606/jubpi.v1i2.1190

Firdaus, S., Mulyawan, F. D., & Fajriana, M. (2021). Pengaruh Teaching Factory Terhadap Kreatifitas, Kompetensi, serta Inovasi Siswa Sekolah Menengah Kejuruan. Inovasi Kurikulum, 18(1). https://doi.org/10.17509/jik.v18i1.42672

Habibah, I. A. N., Harti, H., & Sudarwanto, T. (2022). Project-Based Learning Module Development in Vocational High Schools. EduLine: Journal of Education and Learning Innovation, 2(2), 206–213. https://doi.org/10.35877/454RI.eduline1060

Hamdan, A., Hidayat, W. N., & Suswanto, H. (2020). Relevansi Kurikulum S1 Pendidikan Teknik Informatika UM dengan Kompetensi SMK Jurusan Multimedia. Belantika Pendidikan, 3(1), 24–30. https://doi.org/10.47213/bp.v3i1.82

Komariah, N., Kartika, A., Rahayu, A., & Johardi, A. (2022). Implementasi kebijakan kurikulum Di SMKN 1 KEMPAS. Educational Journal of Islamic Management, 1(2), 102–109. https://doi.org/10.47709/ejim.v1i2.1932

Lince, L. (2022). Implementasi Kurikulum Independent untuk Meningkatkan Motivasi Belajar pada Sekolah Menengah Kejuruan Pusat Keunggulan. Prosiding Seminar Nasional Fakultas Tarbiyah Dan Ilmu Keguruan IAIM Sinjai, 1, 38–49. https://doi.org/10.47435/sentikjar.v1i0.829

Marselus, M. (2021). Penerapan Model Pembelajaran Project Based Learning Untuk Meningkatkan Keaktifan Dan Motivasi Belajar Siswa Kelas X Multimedia Mata Pelajaran Simulasi Dan Komunikasi Digital Di SMK Negeri 1 Mempawah Hulu. Jurnal Penelitian Inovatif, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.54082/jupin.4

Miladiah, S. S., Sugandi, N., & Sulastini, R. (2023). Analisis Penerapan Kurikulum Independent di SMP Bina Taruna Kabupaten Bandung. Jurnal Ilmiah Mandala Education, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.58258/jime.v9i1.4589

Muharnis, M., & Fadriati, F. (2023). Analisis Implementasi Kebijakan Kurikulum Pendidikan Nasional. Pendekar: Jurnal Pendidikan Berkarakter, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.31764/pendekar.v6i1.12677

Mujab, S., Rosa, A. T. R., & Gumelar, W. S. (2023). Analisis Implementasi Kurikulum Independent (Studi Kasus SMK Al Huda Kedungwungu Indramayu). Jurnal Pendidikan Dan Konseling, 5.

Nabila, F. S., Husna, I., & Makrifatullah, N. H. (2020). Hubungan Kepemimpinan dengan Lembaga Pendidikan. PRODU: Prokurasi Edukasi Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan Islam, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.15548/p-prokurasi.v2i1.2245

Nurcahya, A., & Hadijah, H. S. (2020). Pemberian Penguatan (Reinforcement) dan Kreatifitas Mengajar Guru Sebagai Determinan Motivasi Belajar Siswa. Jurnal Pendidikan Manajemen Perkantoran, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.17509/jpm.v5i1.25855

Nurrahman, A., Saputri, A., Nugraha, R. A. Z., & Juliani, D. (2023). Evaluation Implementation Of The Independent Curriculum With The CIPP Model In Vocational High Schools. Jurnal Al Burhan, 3(2), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.58988/jab.v3i2.229

Nurwiyanto, N., Abdullah, G., & Nyoman, N. A. (2022). Pengaruh Kepemimpinan Kepala Sekolah, Motivasi Kerja, dan Budaya Sekolah, terhadap Kinerja Guru Sekolah Dasar di Kecamatan Pulosari Kabupaten Pemalang. JIIP - Jurnal Ilmiah Ilmu Pendidikan, 5(12). https://doi.org/10.54371/jiip.v5i12.1259

Pratiwi, I., Rahmawati, D., & Susanto, T. T. D. (2024). Utilization of Platform Independent Mengajar in the Implementation of Independent Curriculum. Lectura : Jurnal Pendidikan, 15(2), 596–610. https://doi.org/10.31849/lectura.v15i2.21258

Priawasana, E., & Subiyantoro, S. (2024). Evaluating the K-13 Versus Independent Curriculum : Impacts on Primary, Junior, and Senior High School Education in Indonesia. Jurnal Kependidikan: Jurnal Hasil Penelitian dan Kajian Kepustakaan di Bidang Pendidikan, Pengajaran dan Pembelajaran, 10(3), 859. https://doi.org/10.33394/jk.v10i3.12060

Putra Wiratama, P., Sunu, W., Dwandaru, B., Kuswanto, H., Laeli, S., & Kurniawan, A. (2025). Effectiveness of Problem-Based Learning in Enhancing Critical Thinking Skills in Science Education: Meta-Analysis-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0). In Jurnal Eduscience (JES) (Vol. 12, Issue 4).

Rendy Reza Abitama, Muhammad Abror Rahmat, Muhamad Subkhan, & Denda Ginanjar. (2024). Sekolah Adaptif: Strategi Membangun Budaya Organisasi yang Responsif terhadap Perubahan. Jurnal Sadewa: Publikasi Ilmu Pendidikan, Pembelajaran dan Ilmu Sosial, 2(4), 145–151. https://doi.org/10.61132/sadewa.v2i4.1239

Salsabila, A. F., Utami, S., & Martono, B. (2021). Efektivitas Penerapan Kolaborasi Pendekatan Savi (Somatis, Auditori, Visual, Intelektual) Dan Pendekatan Whole Languange Terhadap Hasil Belajar Teks Negosiasi Kelas X Di SMK Unitomo Surabaya Tahun Pelajaran 2020/2021. Widyabastra : Jurnal Ilmiah Pembelajaran Bahasa dan Sastra Indonesia, 9(2). https://doi.org/10.25273/widyabastra.v9i2.11655

Setiawan, N., & Sofyan, H. (2022). Implementasi kurikukum Independent belajar di SMK Pusat Keunggulan. Taman Vokasi, 10(1), 31–37. https://doi.org/10.30738/jtvok.v10i1.12114

Sudarsono, B., Tentama, F., Ghozali, F. A., & Listyaningrum, P. (2023). Industry-Oriented Experiential Learning Model to Enhance Vocational High School Students’ Job Readiness. Journal of Education Research and Evaluation, 7(3), 380–390. https://doi.org/10.23887/jere.v7i3.54224

Syaadah, R., Ary, M. H. A. A., Silitonga, N., & Rangkuty, S. F. (2023). Pendidikan Formal, Pendidikan Non Formal Dan Pendidikan Informal. PEMA (Jurnal Pendidikan dan Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat), 2(2). https://doi.org/10.56832/pema.v2i2.298

Taufiqur Rahman, Nurul Fitria, Evi Nurhidayah, & Ika Yuliandani. (2023). Effects of Project-Based Learning on Employability Skills. Review of Islamic Studies, 2(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.35316/ris.v2i1.473

Tintingon, J. Y., Lumapow, H. R., & Rotty, V. N. J. (2023). Problematika dan Perubahan Kebijakan Pendidikan di Indonesia. Jurnal Educatio FKIP UNMA, 9(2), 798–809. https://doi.org/10.31949/educatio.v9i2.5088

Tisa, T., Asriati, N., & Syamsuri, S. (2024). Implementation of 21st Century Soft Skills in Vocational High Schools to Face the Workforce. Education Achievement: Journal of Science and Research, 534–542. https://doi.org/10.51178/jsr.v5i2.1974

Viki, V. F., & Handayani, I. (2020). Kemampuan Komunikasi Matematis Berdasarkan Self-Efficacy. Transformasi : Jurnal Pendidikan Matematika Dan Matematika, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.36526/tr.v4i1.906

Waris, A. (2020). Sinergi Kebijakan Revitalisasi Smk Dalam Meningkatkan Kompetensi Lulusan SMK Negeri 6 Palembang. Dharmas Education Journal (DE_Journal), 1(2), 164–175. https://doi.org/10.56667/dejournal.v1i2.149

Widiyaningsih, P., & Narimo, S. (2023). Peran Guru dalam Memaksimalkan Semangat Belajar Peserta Didik pada Implementasi Program Kurikulum Independent di SMK Negeri 1 Boyolali. JIIP - Jurnal Ilmiah Ilmu Pendidikan, 6(8), 6325–6332. https://doi.org/10.54371/jiip.v6i8.2753

Yanti, Y. M. (2024). Implementation of the Independent Learning Curriculum for Students. PPSDP International Journal of Education, 3(2), 354–365. https://doi.org/10.59175/pijed.v3i2.253




DOI: https://doi.org/10.36987/jes.v12i5.7663

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Copyright (c) 2025 Arik Suprianto, Arif Budi Wurianto, Agus Tinus

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Lisensi Creative Commons
Jurnal Eduscience (JES) by LPPM Universitas Labuhanbatu is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC BY - NC - SA 4.0)